Same Power Pt. 1: Who Is The Holy Spirit? - 4/7/2024

Pastor Dale Benson Last week we celebrated the resurrection of Christ, and we celebrated those who have taken the step to publicly testify to that faith through the sacrament of baptism. So, what's the next step? John 3:5-8 (NLT) - Nicodemus seems confused when Jesus says he must be born again... - So in some regard we can understand being born of "water." Like when a mother's water breaks. There is also indication that when someone outside the Hebrew faith entered the covenant community, they were said to be "born again." This would also involve a water baptism. It was not a baptism of repentance, but rather a ritualistic, covenant ritual also signifying new birth. So you can understand Nicodemus' confusion when Jesus says you must be born again. - But Jesus adds the part of being born of the Spirit… Who Is The Holy Spirit? - God - The Father (very "human" term) - Jesus - The Son (very "human" term)- Came to die for me - The Other Guy - Spirit - Not human term - Spiritual term, mystical term “If I were Satan and my ultimate goal was to thwart God's kingdom and purposes, one of my main strategies would be to get churchgoers to ignore the Holy Spirit.” -Francis Chan, Forgotten God Different Names of The Holy Spirit - The Holy Ghost - The Comforter - The Paraclete - Breath of God - Wind of God - Spirit of God The Person - He will guide you into all truth. - I feel like God is speaking to me. - I feel like God is leading me. - The scriptures seem to be saying. Romans 8:9-11 (NLT) - We seek life... We need to seek the Spirit of God - We seek wisdom… We need to seek the Spirit of God - We seek power... We need to seek the Spirit of God. - Very often we are seeking the attributes and gifts of God rather than God himself. “The Holy Spirit did not come to take the place of Christ's absence. He came to ensure Christ's presence.” -H. Ray Dunning Don't seek God for what He will give you... Seek God and then He'll give you what you need.